Mockers Blaspheme What They Ignorantly Feel

Jude writes in verse 10, "But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they understand by instinct like unreasoning animals." Here, Jude is addressing those who have crept into the church unnoticed, bringing with them destructive heresies. These individuals ignorantly speak evil of spiritual realities and divine truths that are beyond their comprehension. Their judgment stems from their carnal, earthly understanding, which operates purely on instinct rather than spiritual wisdom or a grasp of God's revealed truth. They trust only in what they can perceive and feel, rejecting anything that transcends their immediate experience, thereby positioning themselves as authorities over divine matters.
This passage draws a sharp contrast between spiritual discernment and a purely carnal understanding. The Judaizers, Gnostics, and other early heretical groups often dismissed central tenets of the Christian faith, such as the incarnation, the atonement, or the authority of the apostles, because these concepts did not align with their philosophical or experiential frameworks. They relied on their own flawed human reasoning and sensual perceptions, much like animals that act solely on instinct without higher understanding. Jude's analogy highlights the dangerous and ultimately self-destructive nature of rejecting divine truth in favor of one's own limited, unspiritual instincts, paralleling how some Old Testament figures like Cain, Balaam, and Korah stumbled through their own rebellion.
For us, this serves as a critical warning against intellectual pride and spiritual arrogance. We are called to approach God's word and His mysteries with humility, seeking to understand through the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than relying solely on our own intellect or emotional responses. When we encounter teachings or experiences that challenge our preconceived notions, our default posture should be one of earnest inquiry and submission to God's revealed truth, not immediate dismissal or blasphemy. This discernment protects us from being led astray by false teachers and enables us to grow in true spiritual understanding, aligning our minds and hearts with God's perfect wisdom.